Backseat Toy Steering Wheel for a Vehicle

ABSTRACT

The present invention discloses a backseat toy steering wheel device for a vehicle. The toy steering wheel device is designed to be hung from the back of a driver or passenger seat and used as a fun, entertaining toy while a user is riding in the vehicle. A rim is attached to a central hub using a plurality of spokes and is configured to be rotatable 360 degrees. The toy device comprises signal lights that are configured to be illuminated and a speaker for playing a plurality of audios. The toy has removably secured batteries for providing power to the device.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims priority to, and the benefit of, U.S.Provisional Application No. 63/244,382, which was filed on Sep. 15, 2021and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the field of toys. Morespecifically, the invention relates to a steering wheel toy forvehicles. The toy is specifically designed to hang from the back of adriver or passenger side seat allowing children and/or adults sitting inthe backseat to play with the toy. The steering wheel toy is designed tobe a non-working prototype of a vehicle's steering wheel and includesthe functionality of a steering wheel enabling users to pretend to drivethe vehicle and thus offering a way to entertain users in the vehicle.Accordingly, the present disclosure makes specific reference thereto.Nonetheless, it is to be appreciated that aspects of the presentinvention are also equally applicable to other like applications,devices and methods of manufacture.

BACKGROUND

By way of background, often times individuals take road trips withfamilies and/or friends. Generally, passengers enjoy the scenic beautyand chat with fellow passengers, while the driver enjoys driving thevehicle. However, it can be difficult to keep children busy andentertained during road trips. Children tend to get bored easily duringroad trips, which leads to children crying and creating noise. Thus,children usually end up distracting the driver and other passengers,which can make the road trip an ordeal.

Individuals tend to carry numerous toys in their vehicle to keepchildren entertained. However, children can become bored of such toysquickly and may ask to drive the vehicle. Further, passengers who loveto drive may want to drive the vehicle and thus, may become bored whilesitting idle in the backseat. Thus, there is a need for a device and toythat can keep children and adults entertained in a vehicle during a roadtrip.

Therefore, there exists a long felt need in the art for a fun and uniquedevice that can be used for entertaining adults and children in avehicle. There is also a long felt need in the art for a unique devicethat allows users to pretend that they are driving the vehicle.Additionally, there is a long felt need in the art for a toy thatprevents children from asking to drive the vehicle. Moreover, there is along felt need in the art for a toy that can be used by users, whilesitting in the backseat of the vehicle. Further, there is a long feltneed in the art for a fun toy that is in the form of a non-functioningrear seat steering wheel for a vehicle. Finally, there is a long feltneed in the art for a toy that offers a way to keep users entertained ina vehicle, allowing them to pretend that they are driving the vehicle.

The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodimentthereof, comprises a rear seat steering wheel toy for a vehicle. Therear seat steering wheel toy is configured to be installed on thebackside of a driver or passenger seat in a vehicle. The steering wheeltoy further comprises a wooden board, a drawstring looped through a pairof holes disposed in the wooden board for hanging on the back of a seatof the vehicle, a bushing connected to the wooden board, a central hubrotatably coupled to the bushing, and a circular rim attached to thecentral hub through a plurality of spokes, wherein each spoke extendsfrom the hub to the rim. The plurality of spokes includes a right turnsignal, a left turn signal and a headset jack. Further, the right turnsignal and the left turn signal are configured to be pressed toilluminate a corresponding signal indicating a right turn or a leftturn, and the rim is configured to be rotatable 360 degrees.

In this manner, the backseat toy steering wheel of the present inventionaccomplishes all of the forgoing objectives and provides users with anon-functioning rear seat steering wheel device for a vehicle, thatoffers a way to keep users entertained in the vehicle and allows them topretend like they are driving the vehicle. The toy has signal lights, ahorn and a headset to allow a user to communicate with other backseatdrivers. The toy is removable and can be hung from the back of anydriver or passenger seat.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basicunderstanding of some aspects of the disclosed innovation. This summaryis not an extensive overview, and it is not intended to identifykey/critical elements or to delineate the scope thereof. Its solepurpose is to present some general concepts in a simplified form as aprelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.

The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodimentthereof, comprises a rear seat steering wheel toy device for a vehicle.More specifically, the steering wheel toy device includes a woodenboard, a drawstring looped through a pair of holes disposed in thewooden board, a bushing connected to the wooden board, a central hubrotatably coupled to the bushing, and a circular rim attached to thecentral hub through a plurality of spokes, wherein each spoke extendsfrom the hub to the rim. A first spoke includes a right turn signal, asecond spoke includes a left turn signal, a third spoke includes aheadset jack for connecting a headset, and wherein the right turn signaland the left turn signal are configured to be pressed to illuminate acorresponding signal indicating a right turn or a left turn, and the rimis configured to be rotatable 360 degrees.

In yet another embodiment, the steering wheel toy device has a speakerconfigured to play engine sounds when a push button positioned on thecentral hub is pressed and configured to play a horn or a customizedaudio sound when a speaker button positioned on the central hub ispressed.

In yet another embodiment, the customized sound can be one or more ofpolice siren, ambulance siren or a horn.

In yet another embodiment, the toy device has a built-in memory forstoring rhymes, songs or other media that can be played by the speakeror through the headset.

In yet another embodiment, a Bluetooth module is configured to connectthe toy device to another toy steering wheel device deployed in thevehicle for enabling communication and connection to the dashboard ofthe vehicle, enabling the speaker and/or the headset to play selectedsongs and enable communication between the devices.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention, a Backseat ToySteering Wheel device for a vehicle is disclosed. The toy steering wheeldevice is a non-functional steering wheel which is comprised of plywood,a plastic ring, a bushing and a drawstring. The plywood is configured tobe hung on a back of a seat of the vehicle using the drawstring, whereinthe length of the drawstring can be adjusted to adjust the height of theplywood. A bushing is attached to the plywood for rotating the steeringwheel 360 degrees, wherein the rim of the steering wheel is held by auser. Further, the toy steering wheel device has a battery for providingpower, a speaker for playing audios, LEDs for indicating a right turnsignal and a left turn signal and a circuit board for connecting thebattery to the speaker and the LEDs.

In yet another embodiment, the battery and the speaker are disposedinside a central hub of the toy device.

In yet another embodiment, the LEDs are positioned inside a pair ofopposite spokes of the toy device, and configured to indicate a rightturn and a left turn.

In yet another embodiment, the battery is removable and can be one ofthree AA or two AAA batteries, etc.

In yet another embodiment, the central hub, the plurality of spokes andthe rim are integral and manufactured as one unit, removably connectedto the bushing.

In yet another embodiment, a non-functioning rear seat toy steeringwheel device for a vehicle is disclosed. The toy device is comprised ofplywood, a plastic ring, a bushing, and a drawstring. Further, the toydevice has signal lights for indicating a left turn or a right turn, aspeaker for playing audio, and a removably attached headset to allow theuser to communicate with other backseat drivers. Further, the toy deviceis designed to be hung from the back of a driver or passenger seat andused as a fun, entertaining toy device while a user is riding in thevehicle.

Numerous benefits and advantages of this invention will become apparentto those skilled in the art to which it pertains upon reading andunderstanding of the following detailed specification.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certainillustrative aspects of the disclosed innovation are described herein inconnection with the following description and the annexed drawings.These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various waysin which the principles disclosed herein can be employed and areintended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Otheradvantages and novel features will become apparent from the followingdetailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The description refers to provided drawings in which similar referencecharacters refer to similar parts throughout the different views, and inwhich:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of thebackseat toy steering wheel device of the present invention inaccordance with the disclosed architecture;

FIG. 2 illustrates a diagrammatic view showing the various potentialelectronic components of the backseat toy steering wheel device of thepresent invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of thesteering wheel toy device of the present invention hung on the back of adriver's seat of a vehicle in accordance with the disclosedarchitecture; and

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view showing one potential embodimentof the steering wheel toy device of the present invention in use inaccordance with the disclosed architecture.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, whereinlike reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout.In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerousspecific details are set forth in order to provide a thoroughunderstanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovationcan be practiced without these specific details. In other instances,well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form inorder to facilitate a description thereof. Various embodiments arediscussed hereinafter. It should be noted that the figures are describedonly to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They are notintended as an exhaustive description of the invention and do not limitthe scope of the invention. Additionally, an illustrated embodiment neednot have all the aspects or advantages shown. Thus, in otherembodiments, any of the features described herein from differentembodiments may be combined.

As noted above, there is a long felt need in the art for a fun andunique device that can be used for entertaining adults and children in avehicle. There is also a long felt need in the art for a unique devicethat allows users to pretend that they are driving the vehicle.Additionally, there is a long felt need in the art for a toy thatprevents children from becoming bored while riding in a vehicle.Moreover, there is a long felt need in the art for a toy that can beused by users while sitting in a backseat of the vehicle. Further, thereis a long felt need in the art for a fun toy that is in the form of anon-functioning rear seat steering wheel device for a vehicle. Finally,there is a long felt need in the art for a toy device that offers a wayto keep users entertained in a vehicle, allowing them to pretend thatthey are driving the vehicle.

The present invention, in one exemplary embodiment, is a novelnon-functioning rear seat toy steering wheel device for a vehicle. Thetoy is comprised of a wooden base with two holes, a plastic rim attachedto a central hub using a plurality of spokes, a bushing and adrawstring. Further, the toy comprises signal lights for indicating aleft turn or a right turn on two of said plurality of spokes, a speakerfor playing audio, and a removably attached headset to allow the user tocommunicate with other backseat drivers. The toy device is designed tobe hung from the back of a driver or passenger seat and is used as afun, entertaining toy that allows users to pretend that they are drivingthe vehicle.

Referring initially to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a perspectiveview of one embodiment of the backseat toy steering wheel device of thepresent invention. The backseat toy steering wheel device 100 isdesigned as a non-functioning rear seat steering wheel for a vehicle,which provides a way to keep users entertained while riding in thevehicle. More specifically, the toy steering wheel device 100 has a base102 having a pair of through holes 104, 106 configured to receive adrawing string 108 or other attachment feature as is known in the art.Any suitable number of through holes can be utilized as is known in theart depending on the needs and/or wants of a user. The drawing string108 is used for hanging the toy device 100 from a back of a driver orpassenger seat as best shown in FIG. 3 . Further, the base 102 ismanufactured of plastic, metal, or wood, specifically plywood, or anyother suitable material as is known in the art depending on the needsand/or wants of a user.

Additionally, the backseat toy steering wheel device 100 comprises abushing 110 attached to the base 102, preferably at the center of thebase 102, which is used for rotation of the steering wheel rim 112. Thesteering wheel rim 112 rotates 360 degrees. Specifically, a central hub114 is rotatably connected to the bushing 110, wherein the central hub114 is connected to the steering wheel rim 112 using three spokes 116,118, 120, however any suitable number of spokes can be used as is knownin the art depending on the needs and/or wants of a user.

In use, a user holds the steering wheel rim 112 and rotates the rim 112in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction to pretend to steer thevehicle. The central hub 114 then rotates using the bushing 110 to allowa smooth and low friction rotation of the steering wheel rim 112 to 360degrees. Further, the central hub 114 has electronic components (asshown in FIG. 2 ) for illuminating a right turn signal 122 positioned onthe first spoke 116 and for illuminating a left turn signal 124positioned on the second spoke 118. A headset jack 126 is positioned onthe third spoke 120 of the toy steering wheel device 100 and is used forconnecting a headset, enabling the user using the toy device 100 to talkto and communicate with other backseat drivers. The headset may bepermanently attached to the toy device 100 or removably attached, andalso allows a user to listen to audio played by the speaker.

Further, the hub 114 of the toy steering wheel device 100 comprises apush button 128 for activating the toy device 100, thus the push button128 is a power button which turns the device 100 off and on.Additionally, the right turn signal 122 and the left turn signal 124 areconfigured to be pressed by a user and illuminate upon being pressed.The toy device 100 further comprises a speaker button 130 for soundingan integrated horn or other suitable audible sound, thereby providing asimulation of the horn of a conventional vehicle.

The steering wheel rim 112, the hub 114 and spokes 116, 118, 120 arepreferably manufactured from a smooth, BPA free and durable plastic,that may have a texture similar to a conventional vehicle's steeringwheel or can be manufactured of any other suitable material as is knownin the art. The steering wheel rim 112 typically has a diameter in therange of approximately 20-25 cm and the base 102 typically comprises thedimensions of approximately 20×20 cm or 25×25 cm, or any other suitabledimensions as is known in the art depending on the needs and/or wants ofa user. Furthermore, the toy device 100 is designed to be an interactiveand educational simulation steering wheel toy for kids, as well as anentertainment toy for adults.

FIG. 2 illustrates a diagrammatic view showing the electronic componentsof the backseat toy steering wheel device of the present invention. Asshown, the backseat toy steering wheel device 100 comprises a speaker202 for playing audio sounds when the speaker button 130 (shown in FIG.1 ) is pressed by a user. The speaker 202 can be any suitablelightweight speaker as is known in the art, and is preferably positionedinside the hub 114. The speaker 202 is configured to play differentsounds, such as a police siren, ambulance siren, etc., or any othersuitable sound as is known in the art depending on the needs and/orwants of a user. Further, when the power button or push button 128 ispressed, the backseat toy steering wheel device 100 is activated orturned on and the speaker 202 is configured to produce a sound of anengine starting. Further, the electronic components also comprise aplurality of LEDs 204 positioned within the first spoke 116 and thesecond spoke 118, under the right turn signal 122 and the left turnsignal 124 for illuminating the signals 122, 124. Any suitable number ofLEDs 204 can be utilized depending on the needs and/or wants of a user.It should also be noted that the right turn signal 122 and the left turnsignal 124 are configured to be pushed by a user and once pushed, thecorresponding LED is illuminated. The LEDs 204 can be any suitable colorand the right and left turn signals 122, 124 can be of the same ordifferent colors depending on the wants and/or needs of a user.

Additionally, the electronic components comprise a removably placedbattery 208 that is used for providing power to the LEDs 204 and to thespeaker 202. Typically, the backseat steering wheel toy device 100requires three AA batteries in one embodiment or two AAA batteries in analternative embodiment for providing power. However, the backseatsteering wheel toy device 100 can be powered via any suitable type ofbattery as is known in the art. Further, the LEDs 204 and the speaker202 are connected to the battery 208 using the control circuitry 206 toselectively receive electric power from the battery 208. The controlcircuitry 206 can be in the form of a printed circuit board or any othersuitable control circuitry known in the art, thereby minimizing thecomplexity of the circuit.

Further, the electronic components comprise a built-in memory 210, whichis used by the toy device 100 to store rhymes, songs or other media andthat can be played by the speaker or through the headset. The memory 210in the present embodiment is configured to store up to 500 Mega Bytes ofmedia, however there is no limit to the storage capacity of the memory210. The Bluetooth module 212 is configured to connect the toy device100 to other toy steering wheels deployed in the vehicle to enablecommunication between the toy devices 100 and also the toy device 100can connect to the dashboard of the vehicle (via the vehicle'sBluetooth), enabling the speaker 202 or the headset to play songs andenable communication with the vehicle.

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of the backseat steering wheel toydevice 100 hung on the back of a driver's seat of a vehicle. Thebackseat steering wheel toy device 100 can be used by both children andadults to pretend to drive the vehicle 300. More specifically, the toydevice 100 is configured to be hung using the drawing string 108 on theback of the passenger's seat 302. The height of the drawing string 108can be adjusted to hang the toy device 100 to a desired height.Typically, the drawstring 108 is looped through the holes 104, 106 andis looped around the headrest 304 of the seat 302. Further, thedrawstring 108 allows the toy device 100 to hang straight down from theheadrest 304, however the toy device 100 can also hang forward at anincline, depending on the weight of the backboard 102, steering wheelrim 112, hub 114 and spokes 116, 118, 120, as well as the position ofthe seat 302.

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view showing a child 400 playing withthe backseat steering wheel toy device 100 of the present invention. Asshown, the toy device 100 is hung from the driver's or passenger seat302 using the drawstring 108. The child 400, while sitting in thebackseat 306 plays with the non-functioning rear seat steering wheeldevice 100 by rotating the rim 112 in a clockwise and/orcounterclockwise direction. Further, the turn signals, horn and aheadset may also be used by the child 400 for playing. Accordingly, thetoy device 100 keeps the child entertained and busy during a trip,thereby allowing the driver and other passengers to enjoy the trip. Theheight of the toy device 100 can be adjusted by shortening the length ofthe drawstring 108, as per preference of the child 400 and/or parent.

The steering wheel toy device 100 of the present invention has arealistic design. The toy device 100 has the basic functions that mostconventional vehicle steering wheels have, such as the left and rightturn signals, and a horn. The left and right turn signals are alsoilluminated. The non-functioning rear seat steering wheel device 100 canbe hung on any seat of a vehicle, enabling a user to easily play andsimulate driving. The rim 112 is configured to comprise 360-degreerotation. Further, the steering wheel toy device 100 comes in a varietyof colors and sizes. Further, the rim 112 and the hub 114 can havevarious designs, cartoon character images, etc., or any other suitabledesigns as are known in the art depending on the wants and/or needs of auser.

Certain terms are used throughout the following description and claimsto refer to particular features or components. As one skilled in the artwill appreciate, different persons may refer to the same feature orcomponent by different names. This document does not intend todistinguish between components or features that differ in name but notstructure or function. As used herein “steering wheel toy device”,“backseat toy steering wheel device”, “toy device”, “non-functioningrear seat steering wheel device” and “toy steering wheel device” areinterchangeable and refer to the backseat toy steering wheel device 100of the present invention.

Notwithstanding the forgoing, the backseat toy steering wheel device 100of the present invention can be of any suitable size and configurationas is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of theinvention, provided that it accomplishes the above-stated objectives.One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the backseat toysteering wheel device 100 as shown in FIGS. 1-4 is for illustrativepurposes only, and that many other sizes and shapes of the backseat toysteering wheel device 100 are well within the scope of the presentdisclosure. Although the dimensions of the backseat toy steering wheeldevice 100 are important design parameters for user convenience, thebackseat toy steering wheel device 100 may be of any size that ensuresoptimal performance during use and/or that suits the user's needs and/orpreferences.

Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplaryembodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the presentinvention. While the embodiments described above refer to particularfeatures, the scope of this invention also includes embodiments havingdifferent combinations of features and embodiments that do not includeall of the described features. Accordingly, the scope of the presentinvention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modificationsand variations as fall within the scope of the claims, together with allequivalents thereof.

What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subjectmatter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivablecombination of components or methodologies for purposes of describingthe claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art mayrecognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimedsubject matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter isintended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variationsthat fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in eitherthe detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to beinclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising”is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.

What is claimed is:
 1. A backseat toy steering wheel device forentertaining children and adults, the backseat toy steering wheel devicecomprising: a base comprising at least one through hole; a bushingattached to the base; a central hub rotatably connected to the bushing;and a steering wheel rim connected to the central hub via a plurality ofspokes, wherein the bushing allows the central hub and thus the steeringwheel rim to rotate.
 2. The backseat toy steering wheel device of claim1, wherein the base comprises a pair of through holes.
 3. The backseattoy steering wheel device of claim 2, wherein the pair of through holesare configured to receive a drawing string.
 4. The backseat toy steeringwheel device of claim 3, wherein the drawing string is used forsuspending the backseat toy steering wheel device from a back of adriver or passenger seat.
 5. The backseat toy steering wheel device ofclaim 1, wherein the base is manufactured from a plywood.
 6. Thebackseat toy steering wheel device of claim 1, wherein the steeringwheel rim rotates 360 degrees.
 7. The backseat toy steering wheel deviceof claim 6, wherein the steering wheel rim rotates in both a clockwisedirection and a counterclockwise direction.
 8. The backseat toy steeringwheel device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of spokes is comprised ofthree spokes.
 9. The backseat toy steering wheel device of claim 8further comprising a left turn signal and a right turn signal positionedon any of the three spokes.
 10. The backseat toy steering wheel deviceof claim 9 further comprising a headset jack positioned on any of thethree spokes.
 11. The backseat toy steering wheel device of claim 10further comprising a push button positioned on any of the three spokes,wherein the push button activates the backseat toy steering wheeldevice.
 12. The backseat toy steering wheel device of claim 11 furthercomprising a speaker button positioned on any of the three spokes forsounding an audio.
 13. The backseat toy steering wheel device of claim11, wherein the central hub further comprises a plurality of electroniccomponents for illuminating the right turn signal and the left turnsignal and for playing the audio when the speaker button is pressed. 14.A backseat toy steering wheel device for entertaining children andadults, the backseat toy steering wheel device comprising: a basecomprising a pair of through holes configured to receive a drawingstring used for hanging the backseat toy steering wheel device from aback of a driver or passenger seat; a bushing attached to the base; acentral hub rotatably connected to the bushing; a steering wheel rimconnected to the central hub via a plurality of spokes; and wherein thebushing allows the central hub and thus the steering wheel rim to rotatein a clockwise and a counterclockwise direction; a right turn signal anda left turn signal positioned on the plurality of spokes; a headset jackpositioned on the plurality of spokes; a push button for activating thebackseat toy steering wheel device positioned on the plurality ofspokes; a speaker button for sounding audio positioned on the pluralityof spokes; and a plurality of electronic components for illuminating theright turn signal and the left turn signal and for playing audio whenthe speaker button is pressed.
 15. The backseat toy steering wheeldevice of claim 14, wherein the headset jack allows a headset to beconnected to the backseat toy steering wheel device.
 16. The backseattoy steering wheel device of claim 15, wherein the plurality ofelectronic components comprises a speaker for playing audio sounds whenthe speaker button is pressed.
 17. The backseat toy steering wheeldevice of claim 16, wherein the plurality of electronic componentscomprises a plurality of LEDs which illuminate the right turn signal andthe left turn signal.
 18. The backseat toy steering wheel device ofclaim 17, wherein the plurality of electronic components comprises aremovably placed battery for powering the backseat toy steering wheeldevice and a memory for storing audio to be played by the speaker. 19.The backseat toy steering wheel device of claim 18, wherein theplurality of electronic components comprises a Bluetooth moduleconfigured to connect the backseat toy steering wheel device to a secondbackseat toy steering wheel device.
 20. A backseat toy steering wheeldevice for entertaining children and adults, the backseat toy steeringwheel device comprising: a base comprising a pair of through holesconfigured to receive a drawing string used for hanging the backseat toysteering wheel device from a back of a driver or passenger seat; abushing attached to the base; a central hub rotatably connected to thebushing; a steering wheel rim connected to the central hub via aplurality of spokes; and wherein the bushing allows the central hub andthus the steering wheel rim to rotate 360 degrees in both a clockwisedirection and a counterclockwise direction; a right turn signal and aleft turn signal positioned on the plurality of spokes and illuminatedby a plurality of LEDs; a headset jack positioned on the plurality ofspokes for connecting a headset; a push button for activating thebackseat toy steering wheel device positioned on the plurality ofspokes; a speaker button positioned on the plurality of spokes and aspeaker for playing audio sounds when the speaker button is pressed; anda Bluetooth module configured to connect the backseat toy steering wheeldevice to a second backseat toy steering wheel device.